@Hollybob77
I’m 30 weeks but have been told by someone after 28 weeks you are classed as clinically vulnerable due to the pandemic and should be shielding, I had planned to work until 38 weeks. I work in a busy deli serving the public and hadn’t really thought about being at more risk until today.
You don't need to shield from 28 weeks but your employer should have done a Covid risk assessment at 28 weeks and make suitable adjustments or suspend you on full pay if they can't make your workplace safe for you.
If you are 28 weeks pregnant and beyond, or if you are pregnant and have an underlying health condition that puts you at a greater risk of severe illness from COVID-19 at any gestation, you should take a more precautionary approach.
This is because although you are at no more risk of contracting the virus than any other non-pregnant person who is in similar health, you have an increased risk of becoming severely ill and of pre-term birth if you contract COVID-19.
Your employer should ensure you are able to adhere to any active national guidance on social distancing and/or advice for pregnant women considered to be clinically extremely vulnerable (this group may previously have been advised to shield).
For many workers, this may require working flexibly from home in a different capacity.
All employers should consider both how to redeploy these staff and how to maximise the potential for homeworking, wherever possible.
Where adjustments to the work environment and role are not possible (e.g. manufacturing/retail industries) and alternative work cannot be found, you should be suspended on paid leave. Advice on suspension and pay can be found in HSE guidance.